Near full-length genomic characterization of a novel HIV type 1 subtype B/C recombinant strain from Yunnan, China

Abstract

Recombination contributes substantially to the genetic diversity of HIV-1, and mosaic strains arise frequently, especially in populations in which multiple subtypes circulate. Yunnan, which borders the "Golden triangle" region of Southeast Asia in the south, was considered as the epicenter of China. B, CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, and CRF08_BC are all currently involved in the HIV-1 epidemiology in the area, which suggested the possible emergence of a new recombination. This study presented a near full-length genomic analysis of a novel HIV-1 recombination involving B and C. Different from the reported CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC, the new recombination revealed more breakpoints. This is the first report of a novel recombination involving subtype B and C in Yunnan, China. More work is needed to determine the epidemiologic significance of the new recombination.